Carlo Ancelotti has handed a maiden Brazil call-up to emerging striker Kaio Jorge for their final two FIFA World Cup 26™ qualifiers, but omitted Neymar due to fitness issues. Caio Henrique, Douglas Santos, Lucas Paqueta and Joelinton, who missed out on the Italian’s first squad, also made the cut.
Brazil will take on Chile at the Maracana in Rio de Janeiro on 4 September, before facing Bolivia at the Estadio Municipal in El Alto five days later. Ancelotti explained that, with a global-finals place already secured, several players were given a rest. Among them were Antony, Rodrygo and Vinicius Jr, who was already suspended for the first game. Marquinhos, Casemiro, Joao Pedro, Raphinha and Richarlison were nevertheless included.
“I don’t know him, but I want to get to know him,” Ancelotti said of Paqueta. “He has technical qualities. He’s a very important midfielder who can play in different positions. I want to take advantage of this time and get to know him better.”
Neymar
Neymar hasn’t played for Brazil since tearing his ACL against Uruguay almost two years ago. Ancelotti overlooked the 33-year-old but gave him hope of making the World Cup 26.
“Neymar’s not in the squad, he had a minor problem last week,” said Ancelotti. “But we don’t need to test out Neymar. Everyone knows Neymar – the coaching staff, the national team, the Brazil supporters. Like everyone else, Neymar needs to be in good shape physically to help the national team do well at the World Cup.”
Kaio Jorge was rewarded for his outstanding form for Cruzeiro. The 23-year-old is the leading marksman in this season’s Brasileirão, with 15 goals in 20 games.
“He’s scoring a lot of goals,” said the former Italy midfielder. “He’s the top goalscorer in the Campeonato Brasileiro. He’s a young striker who already has experience, he’s played in Italy. I believe he deserves to be in the national team.”
Brazil are the record five-time World Cup winners. Since their last triumph in 2002, however, the Seleção have suffered four quarter-final eliminations and a humiliating 7-1 thrashing by Germany in front of their own fans in the 2014 semi-finals.
Ancelotti became the third man to take charge of Brazil in World Cup 26 qualifying. The 66-year-old’s reign began with a goalless draw in Ecuador and a 1-0 win at home to Paraguay.
Brazil squad
Goalkeepers
Alisson (Liverpool)
Bento (Al Nassr)
Hugo Souza (Corinthians)
Centre-backs
Alexsandro (Lille)
Fabricio Bruno (Cruzeiro)
Gabriel Magalhaes (Arsenal)
Marquinhos (Paris Saint-Germain)
Full-backs
Alex Sandro (Flamengo)
Caio Henrique (Monaco)
Douglas Santos (Zenit)
Vanderson (Monaco)
Wesley (Roma)
Midfielders
Andrey Santos (Chelsea)
Bruno Guimaraes (Newcastle United)
Casemiro (Manchester United)
Joelinton (Newcastle United)
Lucas Paqueta (West Ham United)
Attackers
Estevao (Chelsea)
Gabriel Martinelli (Arsenal)
Joao Pedro (Chelsea)
Kaio Jorge (Cruzeiro)
Luiz Henrique (Zenit)
Matheus Cunha (Manchester United)
Raphinha (Barcelona)
Richarlison (Tottenham Hotspur)
